The WEB took away my LIFE

what about you?

[Shak]

OK, own up,

Has the web made you unsocial?

Personally I think I have taken it too far and need to get a life before I crack up.

The problem is, what sort of life do I want?

The web has best of everything, like the following examples will show (imo)

Holiday aka Vacation

why bother, go to Google, type in "location" get 100s of results, browse some information sites, read everything "good, bad and ugly" about the place.

holiday over, I either liked or disliked it, and can tell people everything "you" could, if you had spent £3,000 going there.

Love/Romance

plenty of dating sites, lots of pictures and profile matching taking place, combined with chat rooms and, enhanced by Video Chat. Hey even looking for a bride is quite easy, and finish off with some divorce advice.

romance/marriage over, dated some stunners, married a weirdo, and got divorced, all in 1 night :)
======

Sure thers lots more, but I really think the web is the end of something never experienced before.

In past centuries, adventure and travel was the name of the game, now its sitting on your fat/cute ass and looking at a screen all day.

Over to you guys and gals...

Shak

[dragonlady7]

momsbudget, I'm jealous.
I'm just starting my professional life-- have been working 9-5 5 days a week for 6 months now. I spend all day on a computer, and then I come home and am too tired to use my home computer to do all the things I used to do! So, my Web life is being eroded by my computer job. So sad.
I'm realizing that I can't do the 40-hour-work-week thing very well. I dream of successfully starting my own business that wouldn't require me to work 40+ hours a week to pay my bills. I'd love to have time to keep my apartment clean (to afford a house would be divine), cook nutritious meals when I'm not too tired to stand, to devote the time I used to to emailing my family and friends etc., to start to enjoy my hobbies again... etc.
I see that people do manage to do this, so I'm going to have to keep my eyes open and my brain open. I have a lot more to learn first!

But, the Web is still responsible for what little life I have... when I can muster the focus of brain and eyes to devote to it.

(i've been having a tough month. I need a vacation, but I'm not eligible for one for another 6 months. Argh!)

[ThatAdamGuy]

I know this topic is partly in jest, but it's a fascinating subject, IMHO!

Reality is certainly not like many TV programs / movies / clueless journals have portrayed: We online-savvy folks are not universally pale anti-social losers.

What has helped me has been to literally force myself to make regular journeys away from my computer. This has been especially important for me, since I'm doubly-dependent upon the online world:
- I'm unemployed, so I use it for networking and learning
- I'm a Webmaster, so I'm always updating my site, learning and implementing new tools, etc... both because my site is a showcase for my talents and abilities, and because it brings in affiliate revenue that literally pays my rent.

Two non-electronic-things have helped me keep my sanity and allowed me to have, at risk of gushing, a darn decent life.

1) Getting into swing dancing.
Exercise. Improved posture. Renewed confidence. Weight loss. New friends. A bit of a tan (I dance outside weekly). Dates. And fun!

2) Committing to regularly exercise classes (particularly kickboxing and weightlifting).
Pretty much the same as everything listed above, 'cept for the tan :D

I'm also a musician, but I've put those related interests (sadly) aside for a bit. Bettering my musicianship is largely a solitary pursuit, and doesn't nicely contrast with me sitting in front of my computer for 12 hours a day. It's merely transferring me to sitting in front of a music keyboard and sequencer.

Anyway, I know this has been a bit rambly, but hopefully still at least moderately interesting :)

[eljefe3]

I love the web. I now have more free time to do what I want to do, when I want to do it.

[MsHuggys]

Life beyond the web? No. Even away from home the laptop is on all the time...on the road, at sea...everywhere. I can't imagine life without it.

Don't want to imagine life without it.. shhh you're scaring me.

[vitaplease]

I'm really glad im fooling around at this time and age.
Wouldn't want to miss this journey.
My life owes the web.

I'm glad I at least started with off-line friends and family before this whole thing though ;)

[giggle]

Working on web development in the office, then at home. WAP on my mobile phone and my iPAQ for when I'll be away from my laptop or PC for longer than a few hours. I just wish my wife understood.

[Imaster]

My social life has taken a beating after my involvement with internet. I would certainly agree that internet is really addictive, but I am enjoying it. So no worries there :)

[MsHuggys]

Well, thanks to the web, and over 45,000hrs of ecommerce experience, I"m retired, everything I own, including the home I purchased outright, with web money, is bought and paid for. I can tell my clients today, that I'm REALLY retired, and have no worries financially. But, I call myself retired, 15 years early, because this is so easy and fun, it's like a hobby, not a job. I have absolute control over my life... my free time... my spending money... my destiny, and great family genes to go with it.

I keep my clients, now that I'm retired, because I like to help them. I've grown close to them, and not a one of them, are ready to go it along. They fill my day with purpose ... laughter, challenges, and yes of course, more spending money, and I will likey be doing this another 20 years from now...still as a hobby. Sometimes, children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors are not enough. Control over your life 100% is the best thing in the world, and none of them can give you that.

It's so right, how could the web be wrong.